❤️ Preeclampsia and your future heart health

Did you know that preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) can be important indicators of a woman’s future heart health?

A recent paper highlights that women who experience HDP remain at increased risk of heart and stroke-related problems during the first year after pregnancy. The paper reports a two- to four-fold increase in these events during this period.

Even when blood pressure returns to normal after birth, women who have experienced HDP remain at increased risk of developing chronic high blood pressure in the future.

Why does this matter?

The postpartum period is an important opportunity to:

❤️ monitor blood pressure and other health risks
❤️ identify women who may need closer follow-up
❤️ provide information about future health risks
❤️ support the transition from maternity care to ongoing primary healthcare.

Preeclampsia doesn’t necessarily end when the baby is born. Understanding the longer-term health implications can help women and their healthcare providers take steps towards prevention and early intervention.

AAPEC supports greater awareness of the ongoing health needs of women following preeclampsia and other HDP.

Read about the latest research paper, published online in August 2026 – Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: risk stratification and management